The leaders of the two most prominent allies of NDA, Janata Dal (United) and Biju Janata Dal are feeling the heat from within the party, as they fear erosion in their secular base. The workers of these two parties are unhappy with the BJP for what they accuse the party of promoting such elements who are out to dismantle secular and democratic fabric of the country.

The Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik had reacted strongly after the Kandhmal incident in which Bajrang Dal activities had unleashed a reign of terror on Christian minority by killing pastors, raping nuns and setting their properties ablaze.

The Chief Minister went to the extent of recommending the central government to ban Bajrang Dal, a RSS supported Hindu rightist group that came to limelight for their role in the demolition of ancient Babri mosque in Ayodhya.

The Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had also recently expressed his displeasure over the attacks by MNS activists on north Indians in Maharashtra. Kumar called for immediate arrest of Raj Thackery. BJP has been maintaining a stoic silence over these incidents for which saffron party has invited the wrath of its allies.

'The arrest of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur for her alleged role in the Malegaon bomb blast and the involvement of activists of the BJP- acked organizations like Bajrang Dal and Abhinav Bharat in fanning Hindu terrorism has tarnished the image of the BJP, which the party can ill afford,' said a senior NDA politician.

There seems realization of the fact within the NDA allies that BJP is fast becoming liability for them and it can damage their poll prospects in the forthcoming elections. Even Om Prakash Chautala, who had recently joined hands with BJP, is seriously contemplating to review his decision to part company with the united progressive Alliance of which his party Indian National Lok Dal was a prominent member.

The realization within the NDA assumes significance in wake of the next-year assembly elections in Orissa. The Chief Minister Patnaik doesn't want to take any chance that could mar his electoral prospects. He might even opt out of the NDA if BJP continues to play communal card.

As the next year general elections comes closer a feeling is gaining ground among the NDA leaders that early they shed the baggage early they can get rid of the sin.

Notwithstanding the cracks coming up in the opposition conglomerate, the BJP seems not taking it serious as the senior party leaders who had disconnected their links with the Sadhvi and her militant group, are now supporting her saying the case against her was a conspiracy.#